1. As a direct statement:
* "He was as white as a sheet after the accident."
* "She was as happy as a clam on her wedding day."
2. To highlight irony or humor:
* "The comedian's jokes were so bad they were good."
* "He was a fish out of water at the business meeting."
3. To create a sense of familiarity or comfort:
* "The old-fashioned diner served comfort food like burgers and fries."
* "It was love at first sight, and they lived happily ever after."
4. To show a character's limited vocabulary or lack of creativity:
* "He kept saying 'time will tell' but I wasn't sure what he meant."
* "She talked a blue streak about her ex-boyfriend."
5. To make a point more impactful:
* "He threw caution to the wind and jumped off the cliff."
* "She fought tooth and nail to get the promotion."
Important Note: Overusing clichés can make your writing seem lazy and unoriginal. Use them sparingly and consciously, and consider whether there's a more creative way to express the same idea.